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Everything you need to know about the Africa food insecurity crisis

Many countries and millions of people are affected

Millions of people in Africa have experienced food insecurity at an unprecedented rate. Around the world, an estimated 76 million people across 45 countries, mainly in Africa, are likely to need emergency food assistance in 2018. To put that in perspective, this figure is 60% higher than it was in 2015. Millions of men, women, and children in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, and South Sudan and the Sahel are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

Food insecurity has far-reaching impacts

Food insecurity doesn’t just cause hunger, thirst and death. The impacts of drought are far-reaching and last years. This can include outbreaks of disease, people having to leave their homes and communities in search of a more stable community, interrupted educations, malnutrition, lost livelihoods, and more.

The crisis is ongoing

Disasters like this one are often what we call silent disasters, which means they are occurring without getting a lot of international attention. Although it is hard to say exactly what will happen in 2018, predictions are unanimous in saying it will be difficult and millions of people will be affected. , with unpredictable conditions for 2018 making it hard to say what will happen this year.

It’s not only drought causing food insecurity

Conflict in some impacted areas has a direct affect on increased food insecurity. These conflicts can disrupt food systems, damage livelihoods, force people to leave their homes, and make it incredibly difficult for people to be reached with life-saving humanitarian aid. Crops are also being impacted by other factors, like army worms that can cause crop failures.

Disease outbreak is a very real risk

People suffering from malnutrition have more of a risk of falling ill. Unsafe water can also cause illnesses like cholera and acute watery diarrhea. Access to clean water and hygiene can be limited or non-existent in some communities.

People and communities lose sources of income

Drought and conflict in these regions makes it harder for people to earn a living. Widespread crop failures, loss of livestock, and becoming displaced all damage people’s abilities to earn an income. This is one of the ways that droughts leave behind a long-lasting impact.

The Red Cross is responding locally, regionally, nationally and globally

The Red Cross is providing humanitarian aid to those who are affected by this silent but complex disaster. Every country is different, and communities feel these impacts differently and need support that meets their unique needs.

Training can help respond to this, and future disasters

As part of the Capacity Strengthening for Emergency Response in Africa (SERA) program, the Canadian Red Cross, with support from the Government of Canada, helps train local Red Cross societies on ways to respond to current and future disasters.

Canadians can help

Donations to the Africa Drought Appeal will help the Red Cross continue their work in countries that are impacted by this disaster.